Are IKEA Cordless Screwdrivers Any Good?

furyou on 28/09/2024 - 16:45
Last edited 28/09/2024 - 16:45

My first electric screwdriver was from IKEA the mid sized $30 orange one. It's lasted quite a while and I appreciate the variable speed according to how hard you press it.

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRIxUaZ…

Just recently it started to smoke so it's probably about time to replace. The new ones from IKEA are now $60.
https://www.ikea.com/au/en/p/trixig-screwdriver-drill-li-ion…
Plus annoyingly you have to take the battery out to put it back in the box.

Are they still worthwhile or should I get something from Bunnings or Amazon? I do not have any cordless tools at the moment other than this.

It would be mainly for flat packs and very small DIY jobs. The thing is the IKEA one says it's a 12 volt while small ones from Bunnings are 3.6 volts. I assume that is directly related to the torque that it can generate? In which case I have to look for much more expensive ones from Bunnings.

Home & Garden Hand Tool Screwdriver

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IKEA
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Comments

  • scrimshaw on 28/09/2024 - 17:21
    +1

    I wouldn't use a drill for manual screwdriver jobs. If you're talking about cheap flat-pack furniture from IKEA that is made from laminated particle board, a low-powered 3.6v (that costs like $15 to $30 dollars: e.g Ozito / XU1) will do the job fine, but it's often just enough to hand-tighten the bolts with the provided allen key. Grab a friend or your kids to put stuff together if you want to save time.

    For drilling nails into wood then that's where I would buy a proper drill (i.e. not an IKEA brand), see here for all the past discussion on drills for home projects. But don't use 12v drills on IKEA furniture, the wood is usually composite-type and is easily damaged.

    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/820622
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/829875
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/846467
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/857439

    • furyou on 28/09/2024 - 19:12

      My thought was that the small IKEA one or the equivalent oZito
      https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-3-6v-cordless-screwdriver-…

      Looks like it's only on and off and does not vary speed with how hard you press the trigger. That is the future I like the most about my current one and I assume the new IKEA one is the same.

      And the maximum torque setting. The old IKEA one only goes up to 15 and the new one goes up to 19. I guess that is the main difference.

      90% of the time it's putting together flat pack and the other 10% is drilling something into Gyprock. Sometimes I'm trying to fix normal furniture and then I have to drill a pilot hole using the IKEA before screwing it in because it doesn't have enough power.

      I do have a 30 year old hand me down corded Black & Decker drill when I need to do masonry which I don't think I would need to do again.

      The IKEA ones are a bit big and clunky for getting into small areas that's the only thing and this one having to take the battery off each time seems more annoying.

      • scrimshaw on 29/09/2024 - 09:29

        The OZITO is decent and inexpensive and charges via USB too. It doesn't have variable speed control but it can be used like a normal screwdriver, you just need to twist the handle 90 degrees and turn your screw manually.

        I'd also keep a look out for Bosch IXO 6 https://www.bosch-diy.com/au/en/p/ixo-6-06039c7150
        This has infinite variable speed control (pressure sensitive trigger). Goes on sale every once in a while.

        https://www.ozbargain.com.au/product/bosch-ixo-vi

        • furyou on 29/09/2024 - 09:37

          The ixo series look good except you have to buy the torque adaptor separately. Looks like one of those things where you all keep buying more and more pieces. Would it be better to get a larger set if ending up with afull ecosystem anyway

    • elgrande on 29/09/2024 - 06:09

      You lost me at "For drilling nails into wood"

      • altomic on 29/09/2024 - 09:30

        <insert Futurama nail question reference>

  • Nugs on 28/09/2024 - 17:30
    +3

    "But don't use 12v drills on IKEA furniture"
    Unless you have torque limit settings on the drill
    .

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 28/09/2024 - 17:49
    +2

    3 ugga duggas with the impact gun ought to sort it

    • Nugs on 28/09/2024 - 18:35
      +1

      fix it or f$%k it
      .

  • CheapandUsed on 28/09/2024 - 18:22

    I've noticed the Bosch Go in a few YouTube videos where people are assembling flatpack furniture (not just Ikea).

    Might be worth checking at the next Amazon Bosch discount.

    https://www.bosch-pt.com.au/au/en/products/bosch-go-06019H21…

    Edit: Re-reading, you might actually want a cordless drill and assuming you weren't issued the Stanley screwdriver set on your 13th birthday, pick up a set for most flatpack assembly.

    • furyou on 28/09/2024 - 20:48

      Do those have variable speeds? Look like it has a trigger which would allow that. I find the variable speed the most useful because I can loosen something using the highest torque but I only press the trigger slightly so it moves only a little bit.
      Or when I'm levelling the flat pack doors adjusting those screws I need to be able to control the speed

  • sumyungguy on 28/09/2024 - 21:45

    Black & Decker makes a driver with a hex key chuck, ideal for flat pack assembly where you're tightening into particle board

    • furyou on 28/09/2024 - 22:44

      Feel like anything using Micro USB is ruled out. DOn't want another special cable I have to bring out to charge it.

  • pegaxs on 28/09/2024 - 23:07

    Worx driver is what I use at work and home. Best electric screwdriver I have ever owned.

    My other go to for home furniture assemble is my Ozito driver. Absolute sleeper unit this one. Despite the branding, it is awesome. Super powerful for a 3.6v. Can use it bent or straight. Charges off USB. Has a torch in one end. Comes with stand and bits. Adjustable torque ratchet. And cheap.

    Down sides, neither of these have variable speeds as they are drivers, not drills.

    • furyou on 29/09/2024 - 09:29

      I'm wondering why nothing designed as an electric screwdriver has variable speed? I find variable speed very useful for even flat packs when I want to tighten it slowly and not drill through the particle board with the screw. Or when I'm trying to push a drill into a real piece of wood and I'm just starting I turn the power to maximum but I make it go really slow so it goes in where I place it. To me having a controllable variable speed is the most important function. And then I can speed up as it goes in

  • Lastchancetosee on 29/09/2024 - 08:44

    From our experience, it's fine for IKEA furniture construction, but will opt for Ozito or similar for 'serious' work.

  • antheak on 29/09/2024 - 09:12
    +1

    Those little palm screwdrivers really save your wrist if you're doing a big Ikea project like a Kallax etc (or a kitchen, sigh). I got one of those and it's very gutless, but I still like it. I have a battery ryobi drill, but for just doing Ikea screws, the little palm thing is much better and you just plug it in to recharge it.

    I had an electrician come to change out a recalled Ikea light fitting a while back, and noticed he used the same little palm screwdriver, but his was a Bosch. Figured he used his a LOT every day, and that was what he'd chosen.

  • ShoeSyd on 29/09/2024 - 14:48

    Have a small Ryobi screwdriver, but the little IKEA is $20 and USBC charged so handy to have around for quick jobs. Bigger jobs or wall mounts still need the big tools.
    TRIXIG Screwdriver, li-ion, 3.6 V

    • furyou on 07/10/2024 - 19:49

      TRIXIG Screwdriver, li-ion, 3.6 V no torque control like the big one, so is it strong or fast or slow or?

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